27. Emma

Chapter 27

Emma

A rriving home, I feel a pang of nerves, but I push it aside. This is Anna. I can tell her anything, and we will get through it.

Grabbing the wrappers and my bag, I climb out of Minnie and lock her up. Approaching the cottage door, it swings open, and I see Anna hovering. "Did you go back to Highland Spirits without me?" she accuses.

"How did you know?" I ask with a giggle.

"I know you. This isn't something you could or would sit on."

"Well, busted. I went and got another fifty grand out of Grant in the process. Signed and everything."

"Ooh, well done you," she says, holding her hand for a high five, which I give her.

"But listen. I need to tell you something."

Her face goes serious as I stare at her, all traces of laughter and success gone from my features.

"What is it?" she asks. "Is everything okay?"

"Let's sit." I close the door behind us, and she crosses over to the sofa and sits, waiting for me to join her. I do. Placing my bag down carefully on the coffee table. "Thank you, Anna, for coming up here with me and for not letting me do this on my own. I love you, you know that, right?"

"Yeah, I know that and shut up. I wanted to do this. It's been the best thing I ever did, in all honesty. I should be thanking you for giving me this opportunity to shake my life up."

We share a smile, but I'm choked up and can't speak.

"Are you dying?" she asks bluntly, as only Anna can.

I snort. "No. At least, I hope not. Uhm, the guys asked me to move in with them."

She does the face. You know the one. I shake my head as I chuckle at her.

"Did they?" she exclaims. "Ooooh, Emma! Shacking up with three hunky hockey gods. Who'd have thought?"

"Well, not me. But I don't want to rush into this. I want to make sure you are okay. We just rented this place. I don't want to leave you in the lurch."

Anna gives me a thoughtful expression. "Emma, you don't need to worry about me," she says firmly. "I've been an independent woman all my life, and I'm not about to start needing a babysitter now."

"I know. But we just got settled here," I counter. "I don't want to leave you hanging."

"Oh, please, I will be fine, and I shouldn't even be a factor in this. Don't you dare make me your excuse. You're moving in with them, and that's all there is to it."

"But you are a factor. If you have any doubts?—"

"Shut the fuck up and start packing already," she says with a smirk but then turns serious. "Is it what you want?"

I gulp. "It's fast. Really fast."

"But does it feel right?" she asks, her eyes piercing right through me.

I pause, considering her question. The guys have been nothing but supportive, caring, and encouraging. They really care about me, and I care about them. I love them. Every time I'm around them, my heart skips a beat, and it makes me feel like a giddy teenager again. It's new and exciting but also terrifying.

"Yeah," I finally admit. "It does feel right."

Anna's face softens with a smile. "Then go for it. Life's too short to overthink everything. If it doesn't work out, you can always come back here. But I know it will. They adore you."

I nod, feeling the weight lift off my shoulders at her pragmatic attitude. "You're right. Thanks, Anna."

"Always," she says with a wink. "So when?"

I shrug. "I don't know. We need to look for a place, and there's stuff to figure out, you know."

She nods sagely as if she does know. I'm not even sure I know, but that's Anna for you. Smart and entirely capable. "Wine?" she asks. "We have lots to celebrate."

"Definitely need wine after today," I agree with a smile.

She grins and goes to the kitchen to grab a bottle and two glasses. I don't care that it's late afternoon. I intend to get mildly plastered with my bestie and just enjoy this time we have together before I move out, and nights like this will have to be planned in advance.